Puppetry is not dead! Puppet shows in New York have carved out a captivating niche that draws audiences of all ages into a realm of imagination and wonder. It’s theater in its purest form, with the fragrance of nostalgia taking you back to yesteryear and simultaneously making you feel utterly present and alive. New York’s puppetry scene offers a diverse array of performances that are both magical and thought-provoking. Let’s explore this forgotten art, The Art of Puppetry in New York’s Kids’ Parties.
Wonderspark Puppets
Voted the Best Puppet Theater in New York City, Wonderspark Puppets is home to professional puppeteers who put on interactive puppet shows and workshops at their theater base or come to schools, parks and more. Take it from someone who knows old school entertainment, this is not something you want your kids to miss out on. This nostalgic form of entertainment has plenty of room to be as educational or as silly as you want it to be. Check out more here and here. You can even watch Mystery Max try to find the missing birthday!
Make Your Own Puppets
The Jim Henderson Foundation is fast coming up with awesome puppet making workshops that also include an improv puppet show with your characters. The Cardboard Kingdom takes place on 10 September at the Battery Playscape. Their August calendar is also filled with a wide variety of puppet shows, from paper play, Chinese dragons, sing-a-longs, and real life Pillsbury dough boys. Experience classics like Little Red Riding Hood and Sesame Street, and some dance puppets throw in too. See a full schedule here.
Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater
Of course Central Park would be in on the puppet fun. Their Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater, a 19th century cottage imported from Sweden – it’s not just a name – plays host to short and sweet puppet shows for kids aged 3-8. It’s great for a day spent playing tourist in your own city. The shows are usually fairy-tale adaptions, so they’re familiar and unique at the same time. And it’s really the perfect venue, where nostalgia meets imagination.
Up In Arms
This puppeteering and puppet show production company in Newburgh delivers a show with a message in the form of Helping Drew, a musical puppet show with an anti-bullying message. What’s amazing is that it doesn’t matter if the child is the bully, the one being bullied or the one watching – these shows provide perspective and a non-judgmental space to explore the tensions experienced by school children and how that plays out. What an awesome way to provide healing for everyone involved in such a situation! Up In Arms also provides puppet making workshops for up to 10 students, which can be an awesome way for your child to celebrate their birthday.
Puppet Exhibits
Last year, the Museum in the City hosted a brilliant puppet exhibit, exploring the diverse history of some of the quirkiest residents in the city. This year, they’re lining up a Puppets of New York performance series, with a Back to School theme. The International Puppet Fringe Festival is on from August 9th and features leading puppet makers and troupes from around the world. If you want to really splurge, the Center for Puppetry Arts is always worth a visit.
As the curtains draw to a close on our exploration of puppet shows in the vibrant tapestry of New York City, one thing becomes abundantly clear: the timeless art of puppetry continues to thrive in this bustling cultural hub. So, the next time you find yourself wandering the city’s bustling streets, consider taking a detour into the Art of Puppetry in New York’s Kids’ Parties.
Faqs:
What age is puppet theater for?
Puppet shows are best for kids 3-4 years of age, according to the Puppet Showplace Theater. Think shorter segments, nursery rhymes and familiar stories. But, of course, you know your child better than anyone, so if older kids dig it, then why not?
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